Park seeks to export S. Korea's attack aircraft to Peru

LIMA, -- President Park Geun-hye will seek the export of South Korea's light attack aircraft to Peru during her four-day state visit to the South American country, an official said Sunday.

Park arrived in Lima on Saturday for talks with her Peruvian counterpart, Ollanta Humala, on how to further strengthen economic and other relations. The talks are set to be held on Monday.

South Korea said a planned rollout ceremony for the first basic trainer assembled in Peru in cooperation with the Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. could help Seoul's push to export FA-50 fighter

The ceremony is to be held on the sidelines of Park's visit.

Under a 2012 deal, the sole South Korean aircraft manufacturer is helping Peru assemble 16 turbo-prop planes called the KT-1P for the Peruvian Air Force. In October, KAI delivered two trainers to Peru and has yet to build and deliver two other trainers.

Park's visit came as KAI is competing with foreign rivals to win a contract for Peru's next generation light attack aircraft by offering its FA-50 supersonic jets.

The FA-50 is a light attack variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer that was co-developed by KAI and U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin. It is the most advanced variant of the T-50 family operated by the South Korean Air Force.

The FA-50 has a radar warning receiver and a night vision imaging system, and is capable of carrying 4,500 kilograms of weapons. It also has a 20mm cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles.

Last year, South Korea signed a US$420 million deal to export 12 FA-50 fighter jets built by KAI to the Philippines under a government-to-government deal.

Peru is the second stop on Park's four-nation swing to South America designed to boost economic ties with the region. Seoul officials hail the region as a continent of opportunities.

Park's trip will also take her to Chile and Brazil where bilateral economic and trade cooperation is expected to be high on her agenda.